God's Body Building Program Part 1 Series

There is an alarming trend that is happening among Pastors in the United States.

It is so alarming that denominations across this country are beginning to take steps to be pro-active to stem the tide of this tragic trend.

The reason it is so alarming is because of the negative effects and repercussions it may have.

This trend that I want to share with you now has not yet affected myself, but it has affected many of my friends.

Here it is, Sadly, pastors all across the United States of America are no longer attending sporting events.

Shocking! I know!

There are some obvious and maybe valid reasons why pastors are no longer attending the sporting events of their favorite teams.

Let me share with you today, the top 12 reasons why Pastors are no longer going to sporting events.

Top 10 reasons that Pastors give as to why Pastors are no longer going to sporting events.

10. Since they read a book on sports they know more than the coach knows.

9. Their parents took them to too many games when they were young.

8. The games are scheduled on their days to sleep in.

7. The band played songs they did not know.

6. Some games went into overtime and they got home late.

5. They were sitting with people who only came to see what others were wearing.

4. The referees made decisions they did not agree with.

3. The seats were hard.

2. The people who were sitting near them did not seem friendly.

1. The coach never came to visit them.

PRAY

Heavenly Father,

open our eyes so we can see Your truth.

Open our ears so w can hear Your voice.

Open our mind so we can understand Your Word.

And open our heart so we may receive all that You want me to receive. AMEN

There was a family driving home from church one Sunday. The whole way home the dad was fussing about the sermon being too long and sort of boring. Mom was complaining about the piano being too loud. The daughter, who was a music major in college thought the worship leader was a half note off the whole time. Grandma complained that she could not hear since they were sitting in the back of the church.

As they pulled into the driveway of their house, their youngest, little Willie, six years old, who had been listening to all this complaining all the way home stated to fuss about the woman who sat in front of him with the poofy hair, but then he paused, looked at his dad and said, “But dad, you gotta admit, it was a pretty good show for a dollar.”

It is kind of sad, but many people in America treat their church attendance like a show or a sporting event. The better the entertainment is the more they will enjoy coming.

But if the pastor of the church starts stepping on toes or challenging people to grow or if the music isn’t right or something else, the more people will grumble, complain, or leave.

We live in a society that believes if the show is no good then you leave.

For most people that is a truth, but for some, for those people who really serious about their walk with God, those people are serious about the business of the church.

When God is at the center of your life and you are following Jesus, then you feel less like seeking entertainment at church, you feel less like fussing and complaining about church, instead you begin to invest more of your time and treasures for the purpose of the church.

There are two things that we can be involved in that have eternal dimensions. The first is by being involved with your family and bringing them closer to the Lord.

The second is being involved in God’s Body Building Program which is the church.

There are three important aspects of the church. They are why the church exists.

1. The church exists for the glorification of God.

12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:12 NIV

There are a number of ways we can glorify God. We glorify Him through our praise and worship, through praying and going to Him first for our needs. We glorify Him by studying His Word and by sharing the Gospel with others. We glorify Him by using our gifts, talents and resources to help and serve others others and by our giving.

2. The church exists for the edification of the saints.

To edify means to build others up in a way that improves their mind and their character.